The plasma and synovial fluid pharmacokinetics and safety of cefquinome, a 2-amino-5-thiazolyl cephalosporin, were determined after multiple intravenous administrations in sixteen healthy horses. Cefquinome was administered to each horse through a slow i.v. injection over 20 min at 1, 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg (n = 4 horses per dose) every 12 h for 7 days (a total of 13 injections). Serial blood and synovial fluid samples were collected during the 12 h after the administration of the first and last doses and were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The data were evaluated using noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analyses. The estimated plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were compared with the hypothetical minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (0.125-2 μg/mL). The plasma and synovial fluid concentrations and area under the concentration-time curves (AUC) of cefquinome showed a dose-dependent increase. After a first dose of cefquinome, the ranges for the mean plasma half-life values (2.30-2.41 h), the mean residence time (1.77-2.25 h), the systemic clearance (158-241 mL/h/kg), and the volume of distribution at steady-state (355-431 mL/kg) were consistent across dose levels and similar to those observed after multiple doses. Cefquinome did not accumulate after multiple doses. Cefquinome penetrated the synovial fluid with AUC /AUC ratios ranging from 0.57 to 1.37 after first and thirteenth doses, respectively. Cefquinome is well tolerated, with no adverse effects. The percentage of time for which the plasma concentrations were above the MIC was >45% for bacteria, with MIC values of ≤0.25, ≤0.5, and ≤1 μg/mL after the administration of 1, 2, and 4 or 6 mg/kg doses of CFQ at 12-h intervals, respectively. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage regimes in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Clinical doses of anaesthetic agents were administered to rabbits and effects on the brain, heart, and liver were investigated biochemically and histopathologically. Material and Methods: The rabbits were randomly divided into three main groups (16 rabbits each) and each group into study (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. All study group rabbits received 3 mg/kg of midazolam (M) intramuscularly. Group 1.1 (M) received nothing further, group 2.1 (MK) also received 25 mg/kg of ketamine, and group 3.1 (MKI) besides ketamine was also given 2% isoflurane to induce anaesthesia for 30 min. NaCl solution in the same volume as midazolam and ketamine was injected into the controls. Results: In clinical evaluation significant differences were detected in respiratory and heart rates. In blood gas analysis the PO2 and PCO2 values showed statistical differences in anaesthesia intervals. Significant biochemical value changes were recorded in creatine kinase-Mb, glucose, and total protein. Histopathological liver examinations revealed higher total apoptotic and normal cell numbers in the MK than in the M and MKI groups. Apoptotic cell numbers were statistically significant in M and MK groups. Conclusion: Anaesthetic agents may increase programmed apoptosis. The MKI anaesthetics combination was found to cause less cell destruction in general than the other study groups. It was indicated that MKI was the safer anaesthetic combination in rabbits.

Background: Atresia coli is an intestinal anomaly. Generally, absence of defecation in calves less than 10 days old, diminishing appetite, progressing abdominal distention and time-developing depression are reported in atresia coli. Although a calf consumes its milk normally in first days, loss of appetite develops over time. Occasional minor pain indications are observed. The objective of this study was to evaluate of hematologic, blood gases, cardiac biomarkers and serum biochemical parameters before operation in calves with atresia coli, and to investigate relationship with prognosis of these parameters. Materials, Methods & Results:Thirty calves with atresia coli and 6 healthy calves for control were used as material. Poor suction reflex, anorexia, dehydration, abdomen-kicking, frequent leg movement, abdominal distension and depression were observed in calves brought to the clinic. Some calves presented swashing sound depending on content of intestines when abdomen was shaken. Intestine atresia was diagnosed by history and clinical examination. After clinical examination, operation was performed. All calves were observed during 10 days after operation. Fifteen of 30 calves died during 10 days after operation. The blood lactate, WBC, LDH and CK-MB levels in non-surviving calves with atresia coli were significantly higher compared to control calves. The venous blood pH level was significantly lower in non-surviving calves compared to surviving calves. In addition, when compared to the control group, the blood pCO 2 level was significantly higher in non-surviving and surviving calves with atresia coli while the pO 2 and O 2 saturation levels were significantly lower. Discussion: In calves with intestinal atresia, hematologic parameters are normal in first 48 h of disease. However, leukocytosis and shift to the left have been reported over time. However, leukocytosis due to peritonitis, bacterial overgrowth, etc. have been reported over time. It was seen that leukocyte numbers of non-surviving calves with atresia coli in this study were significantly higher, but leucocyte increase in surviving calves was seen to be statistically insignificant. Leukocyte increased in non-surviving calves with atresia may be associated with excessive bacterial reproduction and peritonitis. Blood lactate level is a commonly used marker for severity of disease in humans and lactate has a prognostic value in adult horses with colic and foals with critical disease. In this study, lactate level in non-surviving calves with atresia coli was significantly higher with respect to surviving calves and control calves. In this result, lactate can be evaluated as a prognostic indicator in calves with atresia coli. Creatine kinase-MB fraction and troponins are used in determination of cardiac damage in veterinary medicine. The fact that serum blood cTnI and CK-MB levels of non-surviving calves with intestinal atresia in this study were higher than surviving calves with atresia coli and control calves suggested that endotoxemia related cardiac da...

Kulualp K., Yurdakul I., Erol H., Atalan G., Kilic S. Measurement of intraocular pressure in clinically normal

The aim of this study was to compare diagnostic techniques for the assessment of cartilage damage in the carpal and fetlock joints in horses with arthritis. The techniques compared were synovial fluid analysis, as well as radiographic, thermographic, ultrasonographic, and arthroscopic examinations. Sixteen horses of both sexes with arthritis, weighing 438 + 51 kg and at different ages were used as material. Before a detailed examination, an evaluation of the conformation and symmetry of the musculoskeletal system was performed. Nerve blocks definitively localized lameness to a specific site. Thermographic, radiographic, ultrasonographic, and arthroscopic examinations were performed after routine clinical examination. Synovial fluid and sera were collected for further analysis. In conclusion, although all examination techniques may yield useful information, their severe limitations were revealed, particularly in the detection of early articular cartilage damage. Arthroscopy is more reliable than other methods in cases of joint capsule lesions and intra-capsular lesions, as well as cartilage and synovial hyperplasia. Arthroscopy is considered to be advantageous and necessary.